Love That (No) Blind
Part 1: A Disaster Day

[Sara]

“We broke up, yes ..”

One sentence was enough to surprise Sara and change her whole mood that day.

The brown-eyed man she has known for the past 2 years who has always accompanied her, comforted her, and gave her strength when she was fragile after her father died, after 2 weeks they did not meet via laptop screen – because of his busy life as a student at a campus in Melbourne, Australia –, suddenly invited each other via online just to say the word. Breakup.

Whose heart is not slashed to hear such news.

“M-mas Vian ... W-what's up? W-why is this all of a sudden? Do I have any fault?” Sara was already about to cry because of that sudden decision.

“My parents ... they insist on matching me with the girl of their choice,” replied the man called Mas Vian by Sara.

Here again!

Sara has been trying to get closer to Vian's parents, but the rejection seems to come from her boyfriend.

Yes, Vian. He always prevents Sara from meeting the future in-laws. There is always a reason.

Sara asked to meet, Vian said his house was far outside the city of Surabaya, where they lived. Sara asks for their address, Vian says his parents are off the island.

Which there is no signal, which HP is damaged, which is what, which is, I don't know how many reasons Vian gave to prevent Sara from meeting Vian's parents.

And Sara always believed him, even though in her heart she was also irritated.

Whether it had been to how many times, finally Sara was reunited with both parents Vian at a cafe in Surabaya. A short meeting, but quite pleasant according to Sara. Or maybe Sara was the only one who felt that way.

As it turns out, Vian says his parents don't like Sara.

Sara was almost desperate. How do you please her future in-laws?

“I'm not silent either, Sar. I repeatedly persuaded them. I often tell stories about you. I said I just love you. But they still do not want to give their blessing. I really don't know what else to do, Sar.”

Both of Sara's eyes began to glaze over with a pile of tears in there. One by one her tears began to fall, especially as she thought about how much effort she could put into pleasing her future father-in-law. And now it seems like everything seems to be in vain.

“I told you that I can take this S2 is also all thanks to you. If you're not the one who helped me find the funds, where can I get here, Sar? I told them that you've always supported me all this time. But they remain firm in their stance. Mama even threatened to kill herself if I stick with you. Then how should I, Sar?”

Sara's tears are getting worse. Especially when Vian told her mother's threat story. How could Sara not care about that? She also has a mother whom she respects and cares about.

Does this really have to end?

Suddenly, their video call was interrupted. The screen of the laptop has changed the image into a blue color list display typical of software that is usually used by most people who want to do online meetings. And shortly after, a message came into his phone.

“I'm sorry, Sar. Again I'm sorry. I have to go, called the lecturer. I'll change your money as soon as possible. Take care of your health, yes. Mas Vian mu.”

Sara was getting angry looking at the message.

But that's not what I want, Mom.

All that remains now are Sara's tears. Sara was crying. Continuing to cry took out all the pain that was in his chest, even though it would never end. If it wasn't because she remembered she had to go to work, maybe she would still continue crying until the end of the day.

Immediately he went to the bathroom to wash his face, reducing the rubbing on both eyes. Before he finally went to the dinner table to meet his mother.

“Ndak breakfast dhisik? (No breakfast first?),” asked Mother when she saw Sara who only took a piece of bread past the bench and also fried rice her favorite village.

Sara kissed Mom's cheek, then kissed the back of the hand of the person she loved so much, and said, “No, Mom. It's almost too late. Mother's dialysis schedule today, right? Mom looked so pale. Mom Mina is coming. Don't work hard, yeah. Wait Mina Ma'am. Later Mom falls.”

“Be careful on the road, Nak.”

Sara just waved her hand as she walked away and left Mother sitting on the table bench. He deliberately did this so that his mother would not see both of his swollen eyes.

Although he had introduced Vian to his mother, but telling this to Mom would only make it more difficult for him. He was still not ready to tell everything especially when his heart was still unable to sincerely accept all of Vian's decisions.

I'll try talking to Mas Vian again. At least I should try before it's really over. Only then did I talk to Mom.

BRACKET!

Sara had not far away from her home when she hit someone on her way to a bus stop near her home. Daydreaming while walking is not a good thing. He didn't even realize it until he hit someone with his wheelchair.

“M-sorry, sorry ... I don't care, because I'm in a hurry,” said Sara who kept her head down, then left the person just like that.

While half-running, Sara's mind was still engulfed in her conversation with Vian this morning. Even among the crowd of people who were competing on the bus, Vian's words saying the word ‘break’ seemed to never leave his head.

Drrt .. drrt ...

Sara's phone shook suddenly after a long time the bus moved leaving the stop. Sara's feeling suddenly became unsettled when her phone screen showed the name ‘Mbak Mina’. Because Mom's assistant rarely called her if it wasn't for something important.

Did something happen to Mom?

“Non Sara, Mom fell. Here I am again on my way to the hospital. Non direct to hospital usually, yes.” And the call was closed.

Luckily, the bus was boarded in line with its purpose. The journey to the hospital was long and long.

Mom must have been hard work. I always did, never heard of Sara. I hope you are okay, she thought continuously.

Sara's mind became increasingly confused with every minute she spent waiting for the bus to arrive at the hospital.

......................

“The condition of Mother Fira is getting lower and lower. And this is quite worrying.”

One more bad news today.

Since Dad died 2 years ago, it's you who banged your bones to make a living for Sara's college tuition. Every time Sara said she was going to quit college, I always banned her. Dad's dream for Sara to graduate is the reason I don't want Sara to stop college in the middle of the road.

In the end, opening a catering service is your business in making money. Which makes Mom tired and continue to feel pain in her arm every time you have to stir fried chicken together, the mainstay of Mother who always receives a lot of orders.

Until finally Mother continues to take anti-pain medication that has a bad effect on her kidneys.

And here is where Mom is at the end, in the hospital with a schedule of dialysis 2 times a week. It's been more than the last 6 months you have to go back and forth to the hospital to wash your blood.

“Didn't there be any news about her kidney donor, Doc?, “ asked Sara who had long hoped anxiously waiting for an answer from the registration request for the kidney donor for her Mother.

If only my kidneys matched Mom's, I wouldn't have had to wait this long. I'll have an operation soon.

“Unfortunately there is not yet,” said the doctor who has been handling his mother for the past few months. “But don't stop praying, yeah. Who knows there will be good news after this.”

The same sentence every time he met the doctor. Pray and hope. He continues to pray to this day, but the answer is still not forthcoming.

When else should I pray?

“For now, Mother Fira's dialysis schedule I make 3 times a week, yes. Let it be arranged once every 2 days. Diet do not forget to keep guarded,” continued the doctor again.

Sara looked at her mother who was currently lying weakly on the hospital bed. Beside him was Mina Ma'am who was sitting with Mom. Sara approached the tall and thin woman.

“Still yes, Ma'am. Fortunately Mbak today came faster,” whispered Sara to Mbak Mina so as not to wake Mom .

Mina's mom usually comes in at 9, an hour after Sara leaves for work. I don't know what whispers prompted him to leave early, Mina told him.

“Sami-sami, Non. Wis is indeed dalane press Gusti. Ora need to be left (Sama-sama, Non. It was the way from Gusti. No need to think about it),” replied Mbak Mina while gently rubbing Sara's back as if it was helping to calm her.

Drrt .. drrt ...

Her vibrating phone forced Sara to get out of the room. From the row of numbers that were not stored on her phone, Sara knew who was calling her at the moment.

Another bad news ...

“Good afternoon, Ms. Ashara Revalina. I from Borrow Rupiah would like to reconfirm when approximately the loan Mother can be paid immediately?”

And keep doing that for a while. Phone by phone just to ask the same thing, when will it be paid?

Sara could only sit on the bench in the waiting room when all the calls were done. His head looked up, looking at the ceiling of the hospital building while thinking, what should he do now?

The loan was a loan he had taken long enough. First, 10 million to pay for the lack of Vian's education and living expenses while in Melbourne.

Then, 15 million, for the cost of AV Shunt installation surgery (*) that the doctor suggested to be easy for Mother when doing hemodialysis.

And now everyone is asking to be paid. He even still has to think about the cost of treatment Mother who now schedule his dialysis to be 3 times a week. Although assisted by government health insurance, but there are some drugs that are not covered so Sara must buy with her own funds. How to handle everything?

Sara breathed a long and long breath.

Drrt .. drrt ...

Sara sighed again, preparing her heart and mind to receive the next call she thought would come from the debt collector again.

“Sara! What time do you want to go to work? Why is it not here yet?!”

......................

Author’s Note :

(*) AV Shunt is an operation that connects arteries and veins in the arm with the aim of making the connection as hemodialysis access

Source : https://sardjito.co.id/2021/12/06/tips-perawatan-post-operasi-av-shunt/\#:~:text\=Arteriovenous%20Shunt%20(AV%20Shunt)%20atau,sambungan%20tersebut%20sebagai%20akses%20hemodialisis.